As most people will be aware by
now the proposal to build the skatepark in Inverleith
is not dead and buried. Yes it’s been on the
critical list and the switch from the favoured site
on the former pitch and putt course over to the football
pavilion almost resulted in a terminal case, however
all is not lost!
A
consultation meeting was called by the city council
in the city chambers on Wednesday 14th June. Representatives
of all concerned parties were invited and were brought
up to date with what is now being proposed. Selby
Richardson from the architects (Urban Design Futures)
now commissioned by the council to develop the skatepark,
gave a clear and comprehensive presentation on the
proposal.
For approximately the last twelve months, a considerable
amount of time and work had been put into redeveloping
every aspect of the skatepark for the move to the
pavilion site, as suggested by Friends of Inverleith
Park as their preferred option. Although it wasn’t
the ideal position, significant work was done, particularly
on trying to retain as many of the original features
as possible within the skatepark design. In spite
of all this the ultimate result was a no go, due to
long term site surveys confirming very high water
table levels on this site making excavation impossible.
In addition, measures required to ensure the possibility
of any noise arising from the skatepark not exceeding
World Health Organisation limits and disturbing the
nearest residents, meant the construction of some
type of barrier around 4 metres high!
The outcome of all of this is now a welcome return
to the pitch and putt site within Inverleith Park.
This site was favoured by ESP from the start, it has
the most suitable ground conditions, can be easily
drained to the pond, is far enough away from housing
to require minimal noise reduction measures, is easily
accessed, can be observed from within the park and
does not interfere in any way with the view to the
castle enjoyed by people from the slope above the
pond. The artists renderings and plans bellow show
how the skatepark will be landscaped into park minimising
the visual impact. The grass bunds that prevent any
noise from travelling in the direction of the nearest
houses can also be seen.
Although a planning application for this site had
previously been submitted, it was not rejected, the
planning committee required a considerable amount
of further information before they could make a decision
on it (see post of 17-3-2005).
Now that all the required points to be addresses have
been, including tinting the concrete green & providing
toilets, the last planning application will be withdrawn
and a new one submitted for this site by the end of
this month.
Yes there’s a strange feeling of deja-vu to
all of this and obviously it’s not over yet.
If the planning application gets through the council’s
planning committee and there are any objections, it
will have to go to the Scottish Parliament for a final
decision. This is because the council is applying
to itself for planning permission and they cannot
therefore make the final decision.
Once the application is submitted it will
once again need all the support it can get. We will
keep you posted on developments and will put up a
form on this site to make it easy for you to register
your support to the relevant council personnel. Making
Edinburgh’s MSP’s (and the others) aware
of this situation wouldn’t hurt either &
we’ll post their details here too.
If the crossing of fingers, toes and any other feasible
body parts, combined with a massive show of support
works, the proposed timescales are as follows –
• Planning application submission – end
June 2006.
• Referral to Parliament August 2006
• If outcome in favour, finalise details of
skatepark September – December 2006
• Construction Spring 2007
• Completion Summer 2007 – 2,500 square
metres of purpose built skateable green concrete!!!!
